Cornish Internet service provider (ISP) Wildanet has chosen network solutions provider Xantaro to support its gigabit-enabled full fiber network rollout for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Xantaro will source, build, and install street cabinets and exchange solutions for Wildanet.
The announcement of the partnership arrives weeks after Wildanet secured a £35 million ($45m) investment from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB).
Wildanet is Cornwall’s largest altnet (alternative network provider). The company, which is backed by Gresham House has worked with Nokia to speed up the deployment of its network in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Xantaro, which specializes in supplying services and equipment for UK telecom providers, will supply its cabinet and exchange solutions for the rollout, which it notes can be delivered to the site fully tested, pre-built, and configured.
According to Xantaro, this incorporates the Nokia OLT, VIAVI centralized OTDR test head, Out of Band (OOB) Management solution, iLOQ features, and more.
In November, Xantaro unveiled a street cabinet product specifically designed to support altnets to extend Internet coverage in rural and densely populated urban areas.
Xantaro is currently working with more than 40 UK altnets.
"Together, we will accelerate the deployment of fiber and essential connectivity to underserved communities," said Stephen Kingdom, chief technology officer of fixed networks at Xantaro.
Wildanet's recent investment boost from the UKIB will support its plans to provide a further 20,000 homes and businesses with broadband connectivity.
The UKIB financing, alongside a revolving credit facility from Santander structured with the assistance of Deloitte, will beef up the ISP's rollout plans.
It follows a £41m ($53m) contract awarded to Wildanet in April for the rollout of more than 16,800 homes and businesses in East Cornwall, West Cornwall, and the island of St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly.
Last year, Wildanet, which is backed by sustainable infrastructure investment specialists Gresham House, was awarded two contracts worth £36m ($47m) to connect up to 19,250 homes and businesses in South West and Mid Cornwall.
